JP6673448B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a communication device that executes communication of target data to be communicated with an external device in an NFC (Near Field Communication) standard, which is a communication system based on the NFC (Near Field Communication) standard.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which two communication devices execute wireless communication. In this technique, two communication devices execute wireless communication of communication information by the NFC method. The communication information includes information for executing wireless communication according to a communication method (for example, IEEE 802.11a) different from the NFC method (that is, information indicating the communication method and information indicating the encryption method). Thus, the two communication devices can execute wireless communication according to a communication method different from the NFC method.

JP 2007-166538 A

  The present specification provides a technique for a communication device to appropriately communicate target data to be communicated with an external device using an NFC method.

One technique disclosed by the present specification is a computer program for a communication device. The computer program causes the computer of the communication device to execute a first establishment command for establishing a first communication link between the communication device and an external device in accordance with a first communication method. A first establishing unit for communicating with the external device via the communication interface of the communication device to establish the first communication link, and after the first communication link is established, From the device, communication setting information for executing communication according to a second communication method different from the first communication method is read using the first communication link via the communication interface. A read unit configured to read the communication setting information from the read unit and the external device, wherein a communication speed of the first communication system is lower than a communication speed of the second communication system. Later, through the communication interface may function as a Write unit for Write to the external device a response indicating that the communication setting information and Read.
Another technique disclosed in the present specification, in the NFC system is a communication system in accordance with the NFC standard, a communication device for executing communication target data to be communicated with the external device. The communication device includes an NFC interface for executing NFC communication, a processor, and a memory storing a program.
According to the program, the processor performs the following steps:
A first establishment command for establishing a first communication link between the communication device and the external device is communicated with the external device via the NFC interface to establish the first communication link. A first establishing step of establishing;
A first communication step of communicating the first target data with the external device via the NFC interface using the first communication link;
Disconnecting the first communication link after communicating the first target data with the external device;
After disconnecting the first communication link, a second establishment command for establishing a second communication link between the communication device and the external device is transmitted to the external device via the NFC interface. A second establishing step of communicating and establishing said second communication link;
A second communication step of communicating, using the second communication link, second target data with the external device via the NFC interface, wherein the second target data includes the second target data; Said second communication step, wherein said second communication step is data generated by processing one target data;
Execute

  According to the above configuration, the communication device communicates the first target data with the external device using the first communication link, and then transmits the second target data using the same first communication link. Instead of communicating, the first communication link is temporarily disconnected. Thereafter, the communication device newly establishes the second communication link, and uses the second communication link to communicate the second target data with the external device. For this reason, the communication device can appropriately communicate both the first target data and the second target data generated by processing the first target data with the external device.

  When the NFC interface receives a polling signal from the external device and executes a Listen operation of transmitting a response signal to the polling signal to the external device, the first establishing step includes performing the first establishing The method may include receiving a command. When the NFC interface performs a Poll operation of transmitting a polling signal to the external device and receiving a response signal to the polling signal from the external device, the first establishing step includes performing the first establishing The method may include transmitting a command. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately communicate the first establishment command with the external device according to whether the NFC interface performs the Listen operation or the Poll operation.

  In the first establishing step, in a first case where the first establishing command is received from the external device, the disconnecting step disconnects the first communication link using a first disconnection method. Steps may be included. In the first establishment step, in the second case of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device, the disconnection step uses a second disconnection method different from the first disconnection method, Disconnecting the first communication link may be included. According to this configuration, the communication device is configured to receive the first establishment command from the external device in the first case and to transmit the first establishment command to the external device in the second case. Use different cutting techniques. Therefore, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link using an appropriate disconnection method.

  The first communication link may be a communication link for each of the communication device and the external device to communicate according to a P2P mode of the NFC standard. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately communicate the first target data with the external device according to the P2P mode of the NFC standard.

  The processor, according to the program, further comprises, in the first establishing step, when the first communication link is established in a first case of receiving the first establishment command from the external device. Receiving a confirmation command for confirming whether to maintain the first communication link from the external device via the NFC interface, and transmitting a response command to the confirmation command via the NFC interface. Then, a first confirmation step of transmitting to the external device may be performed. In the first case, the disconnecting step stops executing the first confirming step, and then disconnects the external device from the external device via the NFC interface to disconnect the first communication link. The method may include receiving a command and transmitting a response command to the disconnection command to the external device via the NFC interface. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the first case where the first establishment command is received from the external device.

  In the first establishing step, in a first case where the first establishing command is received from the external device, the disconnecting step may include a step of temporarily stopping an operation of the NFC interface. . According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the first case where the first establishment command is received from the external device.

  In the second step of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device in the first establishment step, the disconnection step includes transmitting a disconnection command for disconnecting the first communication link to the NFC interface. And transmitting a response command to the disconnection command from the external device via the NFC interface from the external device. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the second case of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device.

  The processor, according to the program, further comprises, in the first establishing step, transmitting the first establishing command to the external device in a second case, while the first communication link is established. Transmitting a confirmation command for confirming whether to maintain the first communication link to the external device via the NFC interface, and transmitting from the external device via the NFC interface the A second confirmation step of receiving a response command to the confirmation command may be performed. In the second case, the cutting step may include a step of stopping the execution of the second confirmation step. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the second case of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device.

  In the first communication link, one of the communication device and the external device communicates according to a Reader / Writer mode of the NFC standard, and the other of the communication device and the external device communicates according to a Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard. Communication link for the communication. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately communicate the first target data with the external device according to the Reader / Writer mode or the Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard.

  In the first establishing step, in a first case where the first establishing command is received from the external device, the disconnecting step includes the step of: transmitting the first communication link from the external device via the NFC interface. Receiving a disconnection command for disconnecting the external device, and transmitting a response command to the disconnection command to the external device via the NFC interface. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the first case where the first establishment command is received from the external device.

  In the second step of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device in the first establishment step, the disconnection step includes transmitting a disconnection command for disconnecting the first communication link to the NFC interface. And transmitting a response command to the disconnection command from the external device via the NFC interface from the external device. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately disconnect the first communication link in the second case of transmitting the first establishment command to the external device.

  The NFC interface may execute a Listen operation of receiving a polling signal from the external device and transmitting a response signal to the polling signal to the external device. The processor further executes an operation control step of controlling the operation of the NFC interface such that the NFC interface does not execute the Listen operation for a predetermined period after executing the disconnection step according to the program. May be. According to this configuration, the communication device does not cause the NFC interface to execute the Listen operation for a predetermined period. For this reason, the communication device can operate the external device appropriately after communicating the first target data.

  The NFC interface may perform a poll operation of transmitting a polling signal to the external device and receiving a response signal to the polling signal from the external device. The processor further executes an operation control step of controlling the operation of the NFC interface such that the NFC interface does not execute the Poll operation for a predetermined period after executing the disconnection step according to the program. May be. According to this configuration, the communication device does not cause the NFC interface to perform the Poll operation for the predetermined period. For this reason, the communication device can operate the external device appropriately after communicating the first target data.

  When the communication device is to receive the first target data from the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes, while the communication device communicates according to a card emulation mode of NFC standard, An external device may include the step of establishing the first communication link for communicating according to the Writer mode of the NFC standard, and (B) the first communication step uses the first communication link. Receiving the first target data from the external device, and (C) the second establishing step allows the communication device to communicate according to a Writer mode of the NFC standard, The external device establishes the second communication link for communicating according to a card emulation mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include transmitting the second target data to the external device using the second communication link. Good. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately receive the first target data from the external device and appropriately transmit the second target data to the external device.

  When the communication device is to transmit the first target data to the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes: communicating with the communication device according to a Card Emulation mode of NFC standard; An external device may include establishing the first communication link for communicating according to a Reader mode of the NFC standard, and (B) the first communication step uses the first communication link. And transmitting the first target data to the external device, and (C) the second establishing step allows the communication device to communicate according to a Reader mode of the NFC standard, The external device establishes the second communication link for communicating according to the Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include a step of receiving the second target data from the external device using the second communication link. . According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately transmit the first target data to the external device and appropriately receive the second target data from the external device.

  When the communication device is to receive the first target data from the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes: communicating with the communication device according to a Reader mode of the NFC standard; The apparatus may include the step of establishing the first communication link for communicating according to a card emulation mode of the NFC standard, wherein (B) the first communication step uses the first communication link. Receiving the first target data from the external device, and (C) the second establishing step allows the communication device to communicate according to a Writer mode of the NFC standard, The external device establishes the second communication link for communicating according to a card emulation mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include transmitting the second target data to the external device using the second communication link. Good. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately receive the first target data from the external device and appropriately transmit the second target data to the external device.

  When the communication device is to receive the first target data from the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes a step in which the communication device operates according to a Reader mode of the NFC standard, and The apparatus may include the step of establishing the first communication link for operating according to the Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard, wherein (B) the first communication step utilizes the first communication link. And receiving the first target data from the external device. (C) The second establishing step includes a step in which the communication device operates in accordance with a card emulation mode of the NFC standard and Establishing the second communication link for the external device to operate according to the Reader mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include transmitting the first target data to the external device using the second communication link. Good. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately receive the first target data from the external device and appropriately transmit the second target data to the external device.

  When the communication device is to transmit the first target data to the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes the step of allowing the communication device to communicate according to a Writer mode of the NFC standard and The apparatus may include the step of establishing the first communication link for communicating according to a card emulation mode of the NFC standard, wherein (B) the first communication step uses the first communication link. And transmitting the first target data to the external device, and (C) the second establishing step allows the communication device to communicate according to a Reader mode of the NFC standard, The external device establishes the second communication link for communicating according to the Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include a step of receiving the second target data from the external device using the second communication link. . According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately transmit the first target data to the external device and appropriately receive the second target data from the external device.

  When the communication device is to transmit the first target data to the external device, (A) the first establishing step includes the step of allowing the communication device to communicate according to a Writer mode of the NFC standard and The apparatus may include the step of establishing the first communication link for communicating according to a card emulation mode of the NFC standard, wherein (B) the first communication step uses the first communication link. And transmitting the first target data to the external device, and (C) the second establishing step allows the communication device to communicate in accordance with a Card Emulation mode of the NFC standard and The external device establishes the second communication link for communicating according to the Writer mode of the NFC standard. (D) the second communication step may include a step of receiving the second target data from the external device using the second communication link. . According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately transmit the first target data to the external device and appropriately receive the second target data from the external device.

  According to the program, the processor may further execute a determining step of determining whether transmission information indicating that data transmission is to be performed is stored in the memory. When the first target data is to be communicated with the external device, when it is determined in the determination step that the transmission information is stored in the memory, the first communication step includes: The method may include transmitting the first target data to the external device using a first communication link. When the first target data is to be communicated with the external device, in the determining step, if it is determined that the transmission information is not stored in the memory, the first communication step includes: The method may include receiving the first target data from the external device using a first communication link. When the second target data is to be communicated with the external device, in the determining step, when it is determined that the transmission information is stored in the memory, the second communication step includes: The method may include transmitting the second target data to the external device using a second communication link. When the second target data is to be communicated with the external device, when it is determined in the determining step that the transmission information is not stored in the memory, the second communication step includes: The method may include receiving the second target data from the external device using a second communication link. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately execute transmission or reception of the target data according to the determination result regarding whether the transmission information is stored in the memory.

  When the first target data is to be communicated with the external device, in the determining step, when it is determined that the transmission information is stored in the memory, the first establishing step includes: The method may include establishing the first communication link according to a transmission mode for a communication device to perform data transmission. When the first target data is to be communicated with the external device, when it is determined in the determining step that the transmission information is not stored in the memory, the first establishing step includes: The method may include establishing the first communication link according to a receiving mode for the communication device to perform data reception. When the second target data is to be communicated with the external device, when it is determined in the determining step that the transmission information is stored in the memory, the second establishing step includes: Establishing the second communication link according to a transmission mode may be included. When the second target data is to be communicated with the external device, when it is determined in the determining step that the transmission information is not stored in the memory, the second establishing step includes: Establishing the second communication link according to a receiving mode may be included. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately establish a communication link according to the transmission mode or the reception mode according to the determination result as to whether the transmission information is stored in the memory.

  The processor, when transmitting the first target data to the external device in the first communication step, according to the program, deletes the transmission information from the memory, and executes the first communication step In the above, when receiving the external device from the first target data, a memory control step of storing the transmission information in the memory may be executed. According to this configuration, the communication device appropriately transmits the transmission information according to each of the case where the first target data is transmitted to the external device and the case where the first target data is received from the external device. Can be managed.

  The processor determines that the communication device is to operate in accordance with the P2P mode of the NFC standard in accordance with the program, and in the determining step, it is determined that the transmission information is stored in the memory. In this case, the external device is notified that the communication device performs data transmission, and the communication device is to operate in accordance with the P2P mode of the NFC standard. When it is determined that the information is not stored in the memory, a notification step of notifying the external device that the communication device performs data reception may be performed. According to this configuration, when the communication device is to operate in accordance with the P2P mode of the NFC standard, the communication device performs data transmission according to a determination result as to whether or not transmission information is stored in the memory. Or whether to execute data reception can be appropriately notified to an external device. For this reason, the communication device can appropriately operate the external device.

  The processor is supposed to operate according to the program and the communication device according to a Reader / Writer mode of the NFC standard, and in the determining step, the transmission information is stored in the memory. When it is determined, it is determined that the communication device should operate according to the Writer mode, and when the communication device should operate according to the Reader / Writer mode of the NFC standard, and in the determining step, the transmission If it is determined that information is not stored in the memory, a determining step may be performed to determine that the communication device should operate according to a Reader mode. According to this configuration, when the communication device is to operate in accordance with the Reader / Writer mode of the NFC standard, the communication device should operate in accordance with the Reader mode in accordance with the determination result as to whether or not the transmission information is stored in the memory. Whether to operate according to the Writer mode can be appropriately determined.

  The processor, in accordance with the program, further, in the first communication step, when receiving the first target data from the external device, by processing the first target data, Processing steps for generating target data may be executed. According to this configuration, the communication device can appropriately generate the second target data by processing the first target data.

One technology disclosed in the present specification is a communication device that executes communication of target data to be communicated with an external device in an NFC method that is a communication method according to the NFC standard.
The communication device is
A first establishment command for establishing a first communication link according to the NFC method between the communication device and the external device is communicated with the external device to establish the first communication link. A first establishing means;
A first communication unit that communicates first target data with the external device using the first communication link;
Disconnecting means for disconnecting the first communication link after communicating the first target data with the external device;
After disconnecting the first communication link, a second establishment command for establishing a second communication link between the communication device and the external device according to the NFC scheme is communicated with the external device. And second establishing means for establishing the second communication link;
A second communication unit configured to communicate the second target data generated by processing the first target data using the second communication link with the external device;
Is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the communication device can appropriately communicate both the first target data and the second target data generated by processing the first target data with the external device. it can.

One technology disclosed in the present specification is a communication device that executes communication of target data to be communicated with an external device in an NFC method that is a communication method according to the NFC standard. The communication device includes an NFC interface for executing NFC communication, a processor, and a memory storing a program.
According to the program, the processor performs the following steps:
When transmitting an establishment command for establishing a communication link between the communication device and the external device via the NFC interface with the external device, transmission information indicating that data transmission should be performed is transmitted. A determining step of determining whether or not it is stored in the memory;
In the determining step, when it is determined that the transmission information is not stored in the memory, the first target data is transmitted from the external device through the NFC interface using the communication link. A receiving step for receiving;
A step of generating the second target data by processing the first target data when receiving the first target data from the external device;
A memory control step of, when receiving the first target data from the external device, storing the transmission information in the memory;
A disconnection step of disconnecting the communication link after receiving the first target data from the external device;
In the determining step, when it is determined that the transmission information is stored in the memory, the second target data is transmitted to the external device via the NFC interface using the communication link. A sending step for sending to
A communication device that executes.

  According to the above configuration, the communication device can appropriately receive the first target data from the external device by using the transmission information, and then appropriately transmit the second target data to the external device. .

  Note that a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the computer program for realizing the above communication device are also novel and useful. A communication system including the above communication device and an external device is also new and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. 5 shows a flowchart of a Listen process of the MFP. 3 shows a flowchart continued from FIG. 2. 6 shows a flowchart of a poll process of the MFP. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart continued from FIG. 4. 4 shows a sequence chart of case A1, which is an example of P2P mode communication. 4 shows a sequence chart of case A2, which is an example of P2P mode communication. 4 shows a sequence chart of case A3, which is an example of P2P mode communication. 7 shows a sequence chart of case A4, which is an example of P2P mode communication. 7 shows a sequence chart of case B1, which is an example of communication in the R / W mode and the CE mode. 7 shows a sequence chart of case B2 which is an example of communication in the R / W mode and the CE mode. 7 shows a sequence chart of cases B3 to B8 which are examples of communication in the R / W mode and the CE mode.

(Configuration of Communication System 2)
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a multi-function device (hereinafter, referred to as “MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral)”) 10 and a mobile terminal 50. The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can execute communication using the communication method of the NFC standard (that is, the NFC method). In this embodiment, the NFC standard is an international standard of ISO / IEC 21481 or ISO / IEC 18092. The NFC communication is wireless communication using radio waves in the 13.56 MHz band. Further, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can execute wired communication or wireless communication using a communication network different from an NFC communication link.

(Configuration of MFP 10)
The MFP 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a network interface (hereinafter, the interface is referred to as “I / F”) 16, a print execution unit 18, a scan execution unit 20, an NFC I / F An F22 and a control unit 30 are provided. The operation unit 12 includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the MFP 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The network I / F 16 may be an I / F for connecting to a wired network or an I / F for connecting to a wireless network. Note that this wireless network is a network for executing wireless communication different from NFC communication. For example, the wireless network is based on the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard, and , A network conforming to a standard corresponding thereto (eg, 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, etc.). The printing unit 18 is a printing mechanism of an ink jet system, a laser system, or the like. The scan execution unit 20 is a scan mechanism such as a CCD and a CIS.

  The NFC I / F 22 is an interface for executing NFC communication. The NFC I / F 22 is configured by a chip different from the network I / F 16. When the network I / F 16 is an I / F for connecting to a wireless network, the network I / F 16 differs from the NFC I / F 22 in the following points.

  That is, the communication speed of the wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is higher than the communication speed of the wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22. Further, the frequency of a carrier in wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is different from the frequency of a carrier in wireless communication via the NFC I / F 22. Further, when the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is about 10 cm or less, the MFP 10 can execute NFC communication with the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. On the other hand, regardless of whether the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is 10 cm or less, the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with the portable terminal 50 via the network I / F 16. In other words, the maximum distance at which the MFP 10 can execute wireless communication with the communication destination device (for example, the portable terminal 50) via the network I / F 16 is determined by the MFP 10 via the NFC I / F 22. It is larger than the maximum distance that can perform wireless communication. Hereinafter, wireless communication via the network I / F 16 is referred to as “network wireless communication”.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the programs 36 and 38 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 34 stores the programs 36 and 38 executed by the CPU 32. The application program 36 is a program for the CPU 32 to execute the processing of the application layer of the OSI reference model.

  The protocol stack 38 is a program for the CPU 32 to execute a process in a layer lower than the application layer of the OSI reference model. Note that the protocol stack 38 includes a P2P (Peer to Peer) program, an R / W program, and a CE program. The P2P program is a program for executing a process according to the P2P mode of the NFC standard. The R / W program is a program for executing processing according to the Reader / Writer mode of the NFC standard. The CE program is a program for executing processing in accordance with the CE (Card Emulation) mode of the NFC standard. These programs are programs for executing processing conforming to the NFC standard defined by the NFC Forum.

  The memory 34 further stores “0” or “1” as the transmission flag. The transmission flag is a flag indicating whether or not the MFP 10 should transmit target data to be communicated. That is, the transmission flag is set to “1” in a situation where the MFP 10 is to transmit the target data. In a situation where the MFP 10 should not transmit the target data, the transmission flag is set to “0”.

  The memory 34 further stores “0” or “1” as the communication completion flag. As will be described in detail later, between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50, after the first target data is transmitted from one device to the other device by NFC communication, the other device transmits the first target data to the other device. The second target data is transmitted to the device by NFC communication. Hereinafter, executing the communication of the first target data and then executing the communication of the second target data in this manner is referred to as “one set of communication”. The communication completed flag is a flag indicating whether the communication of the first target data has been executed or the communication of the first target data has not been executed in one set of communication. That is, in the situation where the communication of the first target data has been executed, the communication completed flag is set to “1”. Further, in a situation where the communication of the first target data is not being executed, the communication completion flag is set to “0”.

(Configuration of the mobile terminal 50)
The portable terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile phone (for example, a smartphone), a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a portable music playback device, a portable video playback device, or the like. The mobile terminal 50 includes a network I / F for connecting to a wireless network and an NFC I / F. Therefore, the portable terminal 50 can execute wireless communication with the MFP 10 via the network I / F, and can execute wireless communication with the MFP 10 using the NFC I / F.

  The mobile terminal 50 includes an application program (hereinafter, referred to as “MFP application”) for causing the MFP 10 to execute various functions (for example, a printing function, a scanning function, and the like). The MFP application may be installed in portable terminal 50 from, for example, a server provided by a vendor of MFP 10 or may be installed in portable terminal 50 from media shipped with MFP 10.

(Target data to be communicated)
Various data can be considered as the first and second target data to be subjected to the one set of communication. An example of the first and second target data is listed below.

(First example)
It is assumed that the MFP 10 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 and executes a print function according to the print data. The user of the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application of the portable terminal 50 and inputs an instruction for causing the MFP 10 to execute the print function to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 transmits a print execution instruction to the MFP 10 by using the NFC communication. The print execution instruction does not include print data.

  The MFP 10 receives a print execution instruction from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. As described above, the communication speed of the NFC communication is lower than the communication speed of the network wireless communication. For this reason, if NFC communication is used as communication of print data from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10, communication of print data may take a long time. Therefore, in the present example, a configuration is adopted in which the MFP 10 receives print data from the mobile terminal 50 using network wireless communication. In order to adopt such a configuration, the mobile terminal 50 needs to know wireless settings for executing network wireless communication with the MFP 10. Therefore, when receiving a print execution instruction from the mobile terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response including the above wireless setting to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Thereby, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can communicate print data by executing network wireless communication instead of NFC communication. Therefore, the MFP 10 can execute the printing function. In the present example, the response including the print execution instruction and the wireless setting is an example of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

(Second example)
It is assumed that the MFP 10 executes a scan, generates scan data, and executes a scan function of transmitting the scan data to the mobile terminal 50. The user of the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application of the portable terminal 50 and inputs an instruction for causing the MFP 10 to execute the scan function to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 transmits a scan execution instruction to the MFP 10 using NFC communication.

  The MFP 10 receives a scan execution instruction from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. As in the first example, if NFC communication is used as communication of scan data from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50, communication of scan data may take a long time. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the MFP 10 transmits scan data to the mobile terminal 50 using network wireless communication. Accordingly, when receiving a scan execution instruction from the mobile terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response including wireless settings to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Thereby, the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can communicate scan data by executing network wireless communication instead of NFC communication. Therefore, the MFP 10 can execute the scan function. In this example, the response including the scan execution instruction and the wireless setting is an example of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

(Third example)
It is assumed that the mobile terminal 50 should transmit setting information to be used by the MFP 10 to the MFP 10. As the above setting information, for example, print setting information (for example, print resolution, paper size, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute the print function, and scan setting information (for example, scan resolution, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute the scan function And communication setting information (for example, an IP address, a subnet mask, a gateway address, etc.) for the MFP 10 to execute the communication function.

  The user of the mobile terminal 50 starts the MFP application of the mobile terminal 50 and inputs setting information to be used by the MFP 10 to the mobile terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 transmits the above setting information to the MFP 10 by using the NFC communication.

  The MFP 10 receives the setting information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The MFP 10 stores the received setting information in the memory 34 as setting information to be used by the MFP 10. Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute various functions using the received setting information. When receiving the setting information from the mobile terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response indicating that the setting information has been received to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this example, the setting information and the response are examples of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

(Fourth example)
It is assumed that the mobile terminal 50 should transmit address information included in the address book currently used by the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10. The user of the portable terminal 50 activates the MFP application of the portable terminal 50 and inputs an instruction for transmitting address information to the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50. In this case, the portable terminal 50 transmits the address information to the MFP 10 by using the NFC communication.

  The MFP 10 receives address information from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. The MFP 10 adds the received address information to the address book currently used by the MFP 10 (that is, the address book in the memory 34). Thereby, the MFP 10 can execute the communication function using the received address information. When receiving the address information from the mobile terminal 50, the MFP 10 transmits a response indicating that the address information has been received to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this example, the address information and the response are examples of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

(Fifth example)
In the above-described first example, a configuration is adopted in which the MFP 10 transmits print data to the portable terminal 50 using network wireless communication. Instead, for example, the MFP 10 may receive print data from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this case, the MFP 10 may transmit a response indicating that the print data has been received to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this example, the print data and the response are examples of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

(Sixth example)
In the first to fifth examples, transmission of the first target data from the portable terminal 50 to the MFP 10 is executed in one set of communication, and thereafter, transmission of the second target data from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50 is performed. Transmission is performed. However, in one set of communication, transmission of first target data from MFP 10 to portable terminal 50 may be performed, and then transmission of second target data from portable terminal 50 to MFP 10 may be performed. For example, the MFP 10 may transmit scan data to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 and receive a response from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In the present example, the scan data and the response are examples of “first target data” and “second target data”, respectively.

  Note that the combination of “first target data” and “second target data” is not limited to the above-described first to sixth examples, and may be another combination. That is, the “first target data” may be any type of data as long as it is data to be communicated, and the “second target data” may be obtained by processing the first target data. Any type of data may be used as long as the data is generated (that is, data different from the first target data). Note that the subject that generates the second target data may be the MDP 10 or the mobile terminal 50.

(NFC standard mode)
Next, each mode employed in the NFC standard will be described. In the NFC standard, a P2P mode, a Reader / Writer mode (hereinafter simply referred to as “R / W mode”), and a CE mode are used. In the following, devices (MFP 10, mobile terminal 50, etc.) that can execute NFC communication are referred to as “NFC devices”.

  Among the NFC devices, there are devices that can use all of the above three modes, and devices that can use only one or two of the above three modes. In the present embodiment, the MFP 10 is a device that can use all of the above three modes. However, the portable terminal 50 may be a device that can use all of the above three modes, or can use only two of the three modes, the R / W mode and the CE mode. There may be.

(P2P mode)
The P2P mode is a mode for executing bidirectional communication between a pair of NFC devices.
For example, assume a situation where both the first NFC device and the second NFC device operate according to the P2P mode. In this case, a communication link for executing communication according to the P2P mode is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. For example, a first NFC device transmits data to a second NFC device using a communication link. Thereafter, the second NFC device typically transmits other data to the first NFC device using the same communication link. Thereby, two-way communication is realized. An NFC device whose tag type is type A and an NFC device whose tag type is type F determined by the NFC Forum can operate according to the P2P mode, whereas an NFC device whose tag type is type B can use a P2P mode. Cannot operate according to mode.

(R / W mode, CE mode)
The R / W mode and the CE mode are modes for executing one-way communication between a pair of NFC devices. The CE mode is a mode in which the NFC device operates as a “card” in a format defined by the NFC forum. An NFC device having a tag type of type A, an NFC device having a tag type of type F, and an NFC device having a tag type of type B can operate according to the CE mode. The R / W mode is further divided into a Reader mode and a Writer mode. The Reader mode is a mode for reading data from an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. The Writer mode is a mode for writing data to an NFC device operating as a card in the CE mode. In the Reader mode, data can be read from an NFC standard card. In the Writer mode, data can be written to an NFC standard card.

  For example, assume a situation in which the first NFC device operates according to the Reader mode and the second NFC device operates according to the CE mode. In this case, a communication link for executing communication according to the Reader mode and the CE mode is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. The first NFC device receives the data from the second NFC device by executing an operation for reading data from a pseudo card in the second NFC device.

  Further, for example, assume a situation in which the first NFC device operates according to the Writer mode and the second NFC device operates according to the CE mode. In this case, a communication link for executing communication according to the Writer mode and the CE mode is established between the first NFC device and the second NFC device. The first NFC device transmits the data to the second NFC device by executing an operation for writing data to a pseudo card in the second NFC device.

  As described above, various combinations of modes are conceivable for a pair of NFC devices to execute NFC communication. For example, as the combination of the modes of the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50, the following five patterns are available: “P2P mode, P2P mode”, “Reader mode, CE mode”, “Writer mode, CE mode”, “CE mode, Reader”. Mode "," CE mode, Writer mode ".

(Poll operation and Listen operation)
The NFC device can execute the Poll operation and the Listen operation. More specifically, for example, in the MFP 10, the CPU 32 does not execute the Poll operation and the Listen operation according to the programs 36 and 38, but the NFC I / F 22 executes the Poll operation and the Listen operation. The poll operation is an operation of transmitting a polling signal and receiving a response signal to the polling signal. The Listen operation is an operation of receiving a polling signal and transmitting a response signal to the polling signal.

  The NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 includes a Poll mode for executing a Poll operation, a Listen mode for executing a Listen operation, and a mode in which neither the Poll operation nor the Listen operation is executed (hereinafter referred to as “non-execution mode”). ) Can be operated in any of the modes. The NFC I / F 22 operates sequentially in the Poll mode, the Listen mode, and the non-execution mode. For example, the NFC I / F 22 performs a set of operations of operating in the Poll mode, then operating in the Listen mode, and then operating in the non-execution mode. The NFC I / F 22 repeatedly executes the above one set of operations.

  In the Poll mode, the NFC I / F 22 transmits a polling signal and monitors reception of a response signal. Specifically, the NFC I / F 22 transmits (1) a polling signal to which an NFC device whose tag type is type A can respond (that is, a polling signal corresponding to type A) and receives the response signal. Monitoring is performed for a predetermined time, and (2) if no response signal is received, a polling signal to which an NFC device with a tag type of type B can respond (that is, a polling signal corresponding to type B) is transmitted and a response signal is received. (3) If a response signal is not received, a polling signal to which an NFC device having a tag type of type F can respond (that is, a polling signal corresponding to type F) is transmitted, and the response signal The operation of monitoring reception for a predetermined time is repeated. When the NFC I / F 22 receives a response signal from an NFC device within a predetermined time, it can be said that the NFC device is a type of NFC device corresponding to the polling signal received immediately before the transmission of the response signal. When receiving the response signal, the NFC I / F 22 further transmits, to the NFC device, an inquiry signal for inquiring in which mode the NFC device that is the transmission source of the response signal can operate. As a result, the NFC I / F 22 receives the operable mode signal from the NFC device. The operable mode signal indicates that the NFC device is operable in the P2P mode and the CE mode, or indicates that the NFC device is operable only in the CE mode.

  In the Listen mode, the NFC I / F 22 monitors reception of a polling signal, and transmits a response signal when receiving the polling signal. The NFC I / F 22 transmits a response signal to the NFC device that has transmitted the polling signal only when receiving a polling signal of a type corresponding to the NFC I / F 22. When transmitting a response signal to the NFC device, the NFC I / F 22 receives an inquiry signal from the NFC device and transmits an operable mode signal to the NFC device. In the non-execution mode, the NFC I / F 22 does not transmit a polling signal, and does not transmit a response signal even if the polling signal is received.

  The mobile terminal 50 also repeatedly executes the above-described one set of operations. Therefore, for example, the period during which the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm and the NFC I / F 22 operates in the Poll mode matches the period during which the portable terminal 50 operates in the Listen mode. In this case, the NFC I / F 22 executes a Poll operation of transmitting a polling signal to the mobile terminal 50 and receiving a response signal from the mobile terminal 50. For example, if the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 is less than 10 cm and the period during which the NFC I / F 22 operates in the Listen mode and the period during which the portable terminal 50 operates in the Poll mode match, the NFC The I / F 22 receives a polling signal from the mobile terminal 50 and executes a Listen operation of transmitting a response signal to the mobile terminal 50.

  When the NFC I / F 22 executes the Poll operation or the Listen operation, the subsequent processing for communication is taken over by the CPU 32. More specifically, when the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 performs the Poll operation and the mobile terminal 50 performs the Listen operation, information indicating which mode of operation the mobile terminal 50 can execute ( That is, the information indicated by the received operable mode signal) is passed from the NFC I / F 22 to the CPU 32. CPU 32 determines in which mode MFP 10 should operate based on the information passed from NFC I / F 22. Specifically, when the MFP 10 is operable in all modes and the received operable mode signal indicates that the MFP 10 is operable in the P2P mode and the CE mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 is in the P2P mode. Decide what to work with. In this case, in the modification, the CPU 32 may determine that the MFP 10 should operate in the CE mode. If the MFP 10 is operable in all modes and the received operable mode signal indicates that the MFP 10 is operable only in the CE mode, the CPU 32 operates the MFP 10 in the R / W mode. Decide what to do. If the MFP 10 is operable only in the R / W mode and the received operable mode signal indicates that the MFP 10 is operable in the CE mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 is in the R / W mode. Decide what to work with. As will be described later in detail, the CPU 32 transmits an Activation command corresponding to the mode in which the MFP 10 should operate (that is, the mode determined by the CPU 32) to the portable terminal 50 (see S112 in FIG. 4 and S160 in FIG. 5). . The Activation command is a command used in the NFC standard, and is a command for establishing a communication link of the NFC system between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  According to the NFC standard, an NFC device that has executed the Poll operation (hereinafter, referred to as “Poll device”) can operate in the P2P mode and the R / W mode, but cannot operate in the CE mode. Therefore, as described above, when the MFP 10 is a Poll device, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the R / W mode.

  On the other hand, when the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 performs a Listen operation and the mobile terminal 50 performs a Poll operation, the CPU 32 transmits an Activation command corresponding to a mode in which the mobile terminal 50 should operate, to the mobile terminal 50. (See S10 in FIG. 2). The CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode when receiving the Activation command corresponding to the P2P mode, and operates the MFP 10 in the CE mode when receiving the Activation command corresponding to the R / W mode. Decide what to do.

  According to the NFC standard, an NFC device that has executed the Listen operation (hereinafter, referred to as a “Listen device”) can operate in the P2P mode and the CE mode, but cannot operate in the R / W mode. Therefore, as described above, when the MFP 10 is a Poll device, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the CE mode.

  As described above, if the NFC I / F 22 executes the Poll operation or the Listen operation, the CPU 32 can know that the portable terminal 50 exists near the MFP 10 and further determine in which mode the MFP 10 should operate. , And the subsequent processes for communication (see FIGS. 2 to 5 described later) are executed.

(Process Executed by MFP 10; FIGS. 2 to 5)
Subsequently, the processing executed by the MFP 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the CPU 32 executes each processing of FIGS. 2 to 5 according to the programs 36 and 38 in the memory 34. In the following, first, when the NFC I / F 22 executes the Listen operation, the contents of the processing executed by the CPU 32 (FIGS. 2 and 3; hereinafter, referred to as “MFP Listen processing”) will be described. The contents of the processing executed by the CPU 32 (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5; hereinafter, referred to as “MFP poll processing”) when the I / F 22 executes the Poll operation will be described.

(Listen processing of MFP; FIGS. 2 and 3)
As described above, when the NFC I / F 22 performs the Listen operation (that is, when the mobile terminal 50 performs the Poll operation), the mobile terminal 50 transmits the activation command corresponding to the mode in which the mobile terminal 50 should operate. Is transmitted to the MFP 10. In S10, the CPU 32 receives an Activation command from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22.

  Next, in S12, the CPU 32 determines whether the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the CE mode. As described above, the MFP 10 is an NFC device that can use all of the three modes of the P2P mode, the R / W mode, and the CE mode. On the other hand, the portable terminal 50 may be a device that can use all of the three modes, or may be a device that can use only the R / W mode and the CE mode. When receiving the Activation command corresponding to the P2P mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode (YES in S12 of FIG. 2), and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, when receiving the Activation command corresponding to the R / W mode, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the CE mode (NO in S12 of FIG. 2), and proceeds to S62 of FIG.

(Listen processing of MFP; P2P mode)
In S14, the CPU 32 transmits a response command (that is, an OK command) to the Activation command to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Thereby, an NFC communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50. That is, the CPU 32 can appropriately establish a communication link by receiving the Activation command and transmitting the OK command.

  In the Listen process of the MFP, the MFP 10 cannot transmit an Activation command to the portable terminal 50. This is because the Poll device can transmit the Activation command, but the Listen device cannot transmit the Activation command.

  Next, in S16, the CPU 32 starts a confirmation command response process. The confirmation command is a command transmitted from the Poll device to the Listen device, and is a command for confirming whether or not to maintain the communication link. As described above, at present, the MFP 10 is a Listen device, and the portable terminal 50 is a Poll device. Therefore, in the confirmation command response process, the CPU 32 receives the confirmation command from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, and sends a response command (that is, an OK command) to the confirmation command via the NFC I / F 22. , To the portable terminal 50.

  Although not shown in the flowchart, when the CPU 32 starts the confirmation command response process in S16, the CPU 32 performs the confirmation command response process until S38 described later is executed or the communication link is disconnected in S44 described later. Continue the process.

  Next, in S18, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the transmission flag in the memory 34 is “1”. In the above-mentioned one set of communication, in a situation where the communication of the first target data is not executed, the transmission flag is usually set to “0”. For example, in the above-described first to fifth examples regarding the target data, the first target data is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10, and the second target data is transmitted from the MFP 10 to the mobile terminal 50. In such a case, the transmission flag is usually set to “0” in a situation where the communication of the first target data is not executed. As a result, as described later, it is realized that the MFP 10 receives the first target data from the portable terminal 50 (see S22 and the like). Further, in such a case, the transmission flag is set to “1” in a situation where the communication of the first target data has been performed (see S28 and the like). As a result, as described later, the MFP 10 transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 (see S32 and the like).

  However, in the above-described sixth example regarding the target data, the first target data is transmitted from the MFP 10 to the mobile terminal 50, and the second target data is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 to the MFP 10. For example, when generating the scan data (that is, the first target data) according to the sixth example described above, the CPU 32 changes the transmission flag from “0” to “0” in the processing not shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 ”. In such a case, the transmission flag is set to “1” even in the situation where the communication of the first target data is not being executed in the one set of communications. As a result, as described later, the MFP 10 transmits the first target data to the mobile terminal 50 (see S32 and the like). Further, in such a case, the transmission flag is set to “0” in a situation where the communication of the first target data has been performed (see S36 and the like). As a result, as described later, it is realized that the MFP 10 receives the second target data from the portable terminal 50 (see S22 and the like).

  When the transmission flag in the memory 34 is “1”, the CPU 32 determines YES in S18 and proceeds to S30. On the other hand, when the transmission flag in the memory 34 is “0”, the CPU 32 determines NO in S18 and proceeds to S20.

  In S20, the CPU 32 executes a negotiation with the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Specifically, the CPU 32 first determines that the MFP 10 operates as a client in the P2P mode. Next, the CPU 32 executes communication according to the Simple NDEF Exchange protocol so that the MFP 10 operates as a client and the mobile terminal 50 operates as a P2P mode server. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 operates as a server that executes processing in response to a request from the client (that is, the MFP 10). Note that NDEF is an abbreviation for NFC data Exchange Format.

  In S20, the CPU 32 further notifies the portable terminal 50 that the MFP 10 executes data reception (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes data transmission). Thereby, the portable terminal 50 can know that the target data should be transmitted to the MFP 10, and transmits the target data to the MFP 10. In the following, the “target data” may be any of the first target data or any of the second target data in the first to sixth examples relating to the target data. Good.

  Next, in S22, the CPU 32 receives the target data from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 using the communication link established in S14.

  Next, in S24, the CPU 32 processes the target data received in S22. For example, in the above first or second example, the CPU 32 interprets the print execution instruction or the scan execution (that is, the first target data) received in S22, and performs the wireless setting (that is, the second target data). Generate a response containing Further, for example, in the above-described third example, the CPU 32 stores the setting information (that is, the first target data) received in S22 in the memory 34, and responds (ie, the second information) indicating that the setting information has been received. Target data). Further, for example, in the above-described fourth example, the CPU 32 adds the address information (that is, the first target data) received in S22 to the address book in the memory 34, and responds by indicating that the address information has been received. (Ie, second target data). Further, for example, in the above-described fifth example, the CPU 32 executes the print function according to the print data (that is, the first target data) received in S22, and responds (ie, indicates that the print data has been received). (Second target data).

  In the sixth example, the CPU 32 interprets the response (that is, the second target data) received in S22 and confirms that the mobile terminal 50 has received the scan data. In this case, unlike the first to fifth examples, the CPU 32 does not execute the processing for generating the second target data. That is, the second target data is data generated by the mobile terminal 50.

  Next, in S26, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the communication completed flag in the memory 34 is “1”. When the communication completion flag in the memory 34 is “1”, the CPU 32 determines YES in S26 and proceeds to S40. On the other hand, when the communication completion flag in the memory 34 is “0”, the CPU 32 determines NO in S26 and proceeds to S28.

  In S28, the CPU 32 sets the transmission flag in the memory 34 to “1” and sets the communication completed flag in the memory 34 to “1”. When S28 ends, the process proceeds to S38.

  In S38, the CPU 32 executes a disconnection process for disconnecting the communication link established in S14. As a method of the disconnection process in S38, two methods of a software disconnection process and a hardware disconnection process are considered. The CPU 32 may execute the disconnection processing of either method.

  When the CPU 32 executes the software disconnection process, the CPU 32 ends the confirmation command response process started in S16. That is, even if the CPU 32 receives the confirmation command from the portable terminal 50, the CPU 32 does not transmit a response command (that is, an OK command) to the confirmation command to the portable terminal 50. Thereby, portable terminal 50 can know that MFP 10 does not want to maintain the communication link, and transmits a Deactivation command for disconnecting the communication link to MFP 10.

  Therefore, the CPU 32 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. In this case, the CPU 32 transmits a response command (that is, an OK command) to the deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Thereby, the communication link established in S14 is disconnected. The CPU 32 can appropriately disconnect the communication link by executing software disconnection processing (end of the confirmation command response processing, reception of the Activation command, transmission of the OK command).

  In the Listen process of the MFP, a deactivation command cannot be transmitted from the MFP 10 to the portable terminal 50. This is because the Poll device can transmit the Deactivation command, but the Listen device cannot transmit the Deactivation command.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 32 executes the hardware disconnection processing, the CPU 32 temporarily stops the operation of the NFC I / F 22. More specifically, for example, the CPU 32 transmits an instruction for stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 to the NFC I / F 22. Accordingly, the NFC I / F 22 temporarily stops all operations including reception of a signal from the outside, transmission of a signal to the outside, a Poll operation, a Listen operation, and the like. Therefore, the CPU 32 cannot execute the confirmation command response process started in S16 via the NFC I / F 22.

  When the hardware disconnection process is executed, the mobile terminal 50 cannot receive a response command (that is, an OK command) to the confirmation command, as in the case of the software disconnection process. In this case, the portable terminal 50 transmits a Deactivation command to the MFP 10, but cannot receive a response command (ie, an OK command) to the Deactivation command because the operation of the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 is stopped. Therefore, the portable terminal 50 determines that a timeout has occurred, and ends the process for maintaining the communication link (that is, the process for transmitting the confirmation command, etc.). Thereby, the communication link established in S14 is disconnected. The CPU 32 can appropriately disconnect the communication link by executing a hardware disconnection process (ie, stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22).

  The method of stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 is not limited to the method of transmitting an instruction from the CPU 32 to the NFC I / F 22 as described above. For example, the CPU 32 may temporarily stop the operation of the NFC I / F 22 by temporarily stopping the power supply to the NFC I / F 22. This method is also an example of a hardware disconnection process. When S38 ends, the Listen process of the MFP ends.

  On the other hand, if YES in S18 (that is, if the transmission flag is “1”), in S30, as in S20, the CPU 32 operates the MFP 10 as a client in the P2P mode and sets the portable terminal 50 in the P2P mode. Perform negotiation to operate as a server. In S30, the CPU 32 further notifies the portable terminal 50 that the MFP 10 executes data transmission (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes data reception). Thereby, portable terminal 50 waits until receiving the target data from MFP 10.

  Next, in S32, the CPU 32 transmits the target data to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22 using the communication link established in S14. For example, in the above-described first to fifth examples, the CPU 32 processes the first target data in, for example, S24 of the previous MFP Listen process or S124 of the previous MFP poll process (FIG. 4). Then, the second target data is generated. In this case, in S32, the CPU 32 transmits the generated second target data to the mobile terminal 50. Further, for example, in the sixth example, scan data is generated as the first target data. In this case, in S32, the CPU 32 transmits the generated first target data to the mobile terminal 50.

  Next, in S34, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the communication completion flag in the memory 34 is “1”. When the communication completion flag in the memory 34 is “1”, the CPU 32 determines YES in S34 and proceeds to S40. On the other hand, when the communication completion flag in the memory 34 is “0”, the CPU 32 determines NO in S34 and proceeds to S36.

  In S36, the CPU 32 sets the transmission flag in the memory 34 to “0” and sets the communication completed flag in the memory 34 to “1”. After finishing S36, the CPU 32 proceeds to S38 and executes the above-described disconnection processing.

  On the other hand, in S40, the CPU 32 sets the transmission flag in the memory 34 to “0” and sets the communication completed flag in the memory 34 to “0”.

  When S40 is executed (that is, when the communication completion flag is “1”), the communication of the second target data is completed (that is, the above-described one set of communication is completed). There). Therefore, portable terminal 50 determines that there is no need to maintain the communication link, and transmits a Deactivation command to MFP 10. As a result, in S42, the CPU 32 receives a Deactivation command from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22.

  Next, in S44, the CPU 32 transmits a response command (that is, an OK command) to the deactivation command to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Thereby, the communication link established in S14 is disconnected. When S44 ends, the Listen process of the MFP ends.

(Listen processing of MFP; CE mode (Fig. 3))
Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 3, the contents of the processing when the determination is NO in S12 of FIG. 2 (when it is determined that the MFP 10 should operate in the CE mode) will be described. S62 is the same as S14 in FIG. When the MFP 10 operates in the CE mode and the mobile terminal 50 operates in the R / W mode, unlike the case of the P2P mode, the confirmation command response process (see S16 in FIG. 2) is not executed. This is because it is a mode for one-way communication (that is, a mode in which only one communication of the target data is executed), so that it is not necessary to confirm whether or not to maintain a communication link. .

  Steps S64 to S72 are the same as steps S18 and S22 to S28 in FIG. Steps S74 to S78 are the same as steps S32 to S36 in FIG. Steps S86 to S90 are the same as steps S40 to S44 in FIG. When S90 ends, the Listen process of the MFP ends.

  In S80, the CPU 32 executes a software disconnection process for disconnecting the communication link established in S62. That is, the CPU 32 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, and transmits a response command (ie, an OK command) to the Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. I do. Thereby, the communication link established in S62 is disconnected. The CPU 32 can appropriately disconnect the communication link by executing the software disconnection process (reception of the Deactivation command and transmission of the OK command).

  Next, in S82, the CPU 32 executes an operation control process for controlling the operation of the NFC I / F 22. The CPU 32 transmits an instruction for stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 to the NFC I / F 22. Accordingly, the NFC I / F 22 temporarily stops all operations including reception of a signal from the outside, transmission of a signal to the outside, a Poll operation, a Listen operation, and the like.

  When the communication link is disconnected in S80, the mobile terminal 50 operates again sequentially in the Poll mode and the Listen mode. However, in S82, since the operation of the NFC I / F 22 of the MFP 10 is temporarily stopped, the portable terminal 50 does not receive the response signal even if the polling signal is transmitted. Further, portable terminal 50 does not receive a polling signal from MFP 10. Therefore, the portable terminal 50 can detect that the distance between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 has increased, that is, that the communication partner has separated.

  The reason that the mobile terminal 50 detects the separation of the communication partner (that is, the operation control processing of S82 is executed) is as follows. In the communication link corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode, it is assumed that only one communication of the target data is executed. Therefore, when each of the pair of NFC devices executes the communication of the target data in accordance with the CE mode and the R / W mode, the communication link is normally disconnected. Thereafter, if the state in which the pair of NFC devices is close to each other continues to be maintained, the pair of NFC devices again executes the Poll operation and the Listen operation, re-establishes a communication link, and executes communication of the same target data. I can do it. That is, when the state where the pair of NFC devices is close to each other is maintained, an event that the same target data is communicated many times may occur.

  Therefore, the NFC device normally disconnects the communication link corresponding to the CE mode and the R / W mode, and if the separation of the communication partner is not detected, the PFC operation and the Listen operation are performed again even if the communication link is not detected. Is programmed not to re-establish. When the NFC device does not receive the response signal from the communication partner even if the polling signal is transmitted several times, or does not receive the polling signal from the communication partner for a predetermined period, for example, the NFC device leaves the communication partner. Is detected. When the NFC device detects the separation of the communication partner in this way, it can re-establish a communication link with the same communication partner.

  In the present embodiment, after the communication of the first target data is executed, the communication of the second target data is executed (that is, one set of communication is executed). Therefore, after the communication link for the communication of the first target data is disconnected, even if the state in which the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are close to each other is maintained, a new communication for the communication of the second target data is maintained. There is a need for a mechanism to re-establish communication links. This mechanism is the operation control processing of S82. That is, if the MFP 10 executes the operation control process of S82, the mobile terminal 50 can detect the separation of the MFP 10 even if the state in which the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 are close to each other is maintained. Thereafter, when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 execute the Poll operation and the Listen operation, the communication link between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 can be re-established.

  The operation control processing in S82 is not limited to the method of transmitting an instruction from the CPU 32 to the NFC I / F 22 as described above. For example, the CPU 32 may temporarily stop the operation of the NFC I / F 22 by temporarily stopping the power supply to the NFC I / F 22. This method is also an example of the operation control process. When S82 ends, the Listen process of the MFP ends.

(Poll processing of MFP; FIGS. 4 and 5)
Subsequently, the contents of the Poll process of the MFP will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, when NFC I / F 22 executes the Poll operation, MFP 10 operates in one of the P2P mode and the R / W mode according to the received operation enable mode signal. In S110, CPU 32 determines whether MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode or the R / W mode based on the received operation enable mode signal. If CPU 32 determines that MFP 10 should operate in the P2P mode (YES in S110), the process proceeds to S112, and if CPU 32 determines that MFP 10 should operate in the R / W mode (NO in S110). The process proceeds to S160 in FIG.

(Poll processing of MFP; P2P mode (Fig. 4))
In S112, the CPU 32 transmits an Activation command corresponding to the P2P mode to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Next, in S114, the CPU 32 receives a response command (that is, an OK command) to the Activation command from the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Thereby, an NFC communication link is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  Next, in S116, the CPU 32 starts a confirmation command transmission process. In the confirmation command transmission process, the CPU 32 transmits a confirmation command to the portable terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, and the portable terminal 50 transmits a response command (that is, OK) to the confirmation command via the NFC I / F 22. Command). When the confirmation command transmission processing is started in S116, the CPU 32 continuously executes the confirmation command transmission processing until S138 described later is executed or the communication link is disconnected in S144 described later.

  Steps S118 to S128 are the same as steps S18 to S28 in FIG. Steps S130 to S136 are the same as steps S30 to S36 in FIG. Step S140 is the same as step S40 in FIG. In S142, the CPU 32 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Next, in S144, the CPU 32 receives a response command (that is, an OK command) to the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F22. Thus, the communication link established in S114 is disconnected.

  In S138, the CPU 32 executes a disconnection process for disconnecting the communication link established in S114. As a method of the disconnection process in S138, two methods of a software disconnection process and a hardware disconnection process are considered. The CPU 32 may execute the disconnection processing of either method.

  When the CPU 32 executes the software disconnection processing, the CPU 32 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22, and the Deactivation command is transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 via the NFC I / F 22. Is received (ie, an OK command). Thus, the communication link established in S114 is disconnected. The CPU 32 can appropriately disconnect the communication link by executing software disconnection processing (transmission of a deactivation command and reception of an OK command).

  Note that the software disconnection process is not limited to the method in which the CPU 32 transmits the Deactivation command as described above. For example, the CPU 32 may end the confirmation command transmission process started in S116. That is, the CPU 32 does not transmit the confirmation command to the mobile terminal 50. If the mobile terminal 50 does not receive a confirmation command from the MFP 10 for a predetermined period, it determines that a timeout has occurred. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 ends the process related to the communication link (that is, monitoring of the reception of the confirmation command and the like), and as a result, the communication link is disconnected. This method is also an example of software disconnection processing.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 32 executes the hardware disconnection processing, the CPU 32 temporarily stops the operation of the NFC I / F 22. More specifically, for example, the CPU 32 transmits an instruction for stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 to the NFC I / F 22. Therefore, the CPU 32 cannot execute the confirmation command transmission process started in S116 via the NFC I / F 22. In this case, the mobile terminal 50 determines that a time-out has occurred, and ends the processing relating to the communication link (that is, monitoring of reception of the confirmation command, etc.), and as a result, the communication link is disconnected. The CPU 32 can appropriately disconnect the communication link by executing the hardware disconnection process (stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22).

  The method of stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 is not limited to the method of transmitting an instruction from the CPU 32 to the NFC I / F 22 as described above. For example, the CPU 32 may temporarily stop the operation of the NFC I / F 22 by temporarily stopping the power supply to the NFC I / F 22. This method is also an example of a hardware disconnection process. When S138 ends, the poll process of the MFP ends.

(Poll processing of MFP; R / W mode (Fig. 5))
Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the contents of the processing when the determination is NO in S110 of FIG. 4 (that is, when it is determined that the MFP 10 should operate in the R / W mode) will be described. Steps S160 to S164 are the same as steps S112, S114, and S118 in FIG. However, in S160, the CPU 32 transmits an Activation command corresponding to the R / W mode.

  If NO in S164 (that is, if the transmission flag is “0”), in S165, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate according to the Reader mode. Thereby, the CPU 32 can read the target data from the pseudo card of the mobile terminal 50, that is, can receive the target data from the mobile terminal 50. S166 to S172 executed thereafter are the same as S66 to S72 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if YES in S164 (that is, if the transmission flag is “1”), in S173, the CPU 32 determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the Writer mode. Thereby, the CPU 32 can write the target data on the pseudo card of the mobile terminal 50, that is, transmit the target data to the mobile terminal 50. S174 to S182 executed thereafter are the same as S74 to S82 in FIG. Steps S186 to S190 are the same as steps S140 to S144 in FIG.

(Specific case)
Subsequently, a specific case realized by the present embodiment will be described. The following cases are realized by the MFP 10 executing the processes in FIGS. 2 to 5.

(Case A1; FIG. 6)
In case A1, the MFP 10 executes the Listen operation (that is, the mobile terminal 50 executes the Poll operation), and the mobile terminal 50 can operate according to the P2P mode.

  The MFP 10 receives the Activation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S10 in FIG. 2), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S14). Thereby, communication link L1 is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50. In this case, the MFP 10 starts a confirmation command response process (S16). That is, the MFP 10 receives the confirmation command from the mobile terminal 50 and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50.

  In case A1, the transmission flag is “0” when the communication link L1 is established. In this case, the MFP 10 determines NO in S18 of FIG. 2, and then executes negotiation to notify the portable terminal 50 that the MFP 10 will execute data reception (S20). The MFP 10 receives the first target data from the portable terminal 50 (S22), and generates the second target data by processing the first target data (S24). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “1” and sets the communication completed flag to “1” (S28).

  Next, the MFP 10 executes a software disconnection process (S38). That is, even when the MFP 10 receives the confirmation command from the mobile terminal 50, the MFP 10 does not transmit the OK command. In this case, the MFP 10 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected.

  After that, the MFP 10 executes the Listen operation again (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes the Poll operation again). The MFP 10 receives the Activation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S10), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S14). As a result, a communication link L2 is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  When the first target data is communicated, the transmission flag is set to “1”. In this case, the MFP 10 determines YES in S18 of FIG. 2, and then performs negotiation to notify the portable terminal 50 that the MFP 10 will execute data transmission (S30). The MFP 10 transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 (S32). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “0” and sets the communication completion flag to “0” (S40). Next, the MFP 10 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S42), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S44). As a result, the communication link L2 is disconnected.

  As described above, the P2P mode is a mode for two-way communication. Therefore, a configuration in which both the first and second target data are communicated using the same communication link L1 is conceivable. However, there is a possibility that the portable terminal 50 cannot appropriately execute the two-way communication according to the P2P mode. For example, an operation in which the OS (Operating System) of the portable terminal 50 transmits the first target data by using the communication link L1 and then receives the second target data by using the same communication link L1. May not be acceptable.

  In view of such a possibility, in the present embodiment, as shown in case A1, when the MFP 10 receives the first target data from the mobile terminal 50 using the communication link L1 corresponding to P2P, The communication link L1 is disconnected. Next, the MFP 10 re-establishes the communication link L2 corresponding to P2P, and transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 using the communication link L2. Therefore, even when the portable terminal 50 does not allow the bidirectional communication in the P2P mode, the MFP 10 performs the first target data and the second target data generated by processing the first target data according to the P2P mode. Both can be appropriately communicated with the portable terminal 50.

(Case A2; FIG. 7)
The case A2 differs from the case A1 in that the MFP 10 executes a hardware disconnection process (S38 in FIG. 2) instead of the software disconnection process.

  That is, the MFP 10 temporarily stops the operation of the NFC I / F 22 in the hardware disconnection process. For this reason, even if the MFP 10 receives the confirmation command from the mobile terminal 50, it does not transmit the OK command. Further, even if MFP 10 receives the Deactivation command from portable terminal 50, MFP 10 does not transmit the OK command. Thereby, the portable terminal 50 determines that a timeout has occurred, and as a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected. The other points are the same as case A1. In case A2, the same operation and effect as in case A1 can be obtained.

  When the hardware disconnection process of the case A2 is executed, it may take a long time before the NFC I / F 22 returns. Therefore, from the viewpoint of speeding up the processing, it is preferable to execute the software disconnection processing of the case A1. However, according to the hardware disconnection process of the case A2, the communication link L1 can be reliably disconnected. Therefore, from the viewpoint of ensuring the disconnection of the communication link, it is preferable to execute the hardware disconnection process of Case A2. In other cases (for example, case A4 in FIG. 4), either the software-based disconnection processing or the hardware-based disconnection processing may be adopted depending on the viewpoint that the vendor of the MFP 10 places importance on.

(Case A3; FIG. 8)
In case A3, MFP 10 executes the Poll operation (that is, mobile terminal 50 executes the Listen operation), and mobile terminal 50 can operate according to the P2P mode.

  The MFP 10 transmits an Activation command to the mobile terminal 50 (S112 in FIG. 4), and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (S114). Thereby, communication link L1 is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50.

  In case A3, the transmission flag is “0” when the communication link L1 is established. In this case, MFP 10 determines NO in S118 of FIG. 4, and then performs negotiation to notify portable terminal 50 that MFP 10 will execute data reception (S120). The MFP 10 receives the first target data from the portable terminal 50 (S122), and generates the second target data by processing the first target data (S124). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “1” and sets the communication completed flag to “1” (S128).

  Next, the MFP 10 executes a software disconnection process (S138). That is, the MFP 10 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected.

  Thereafter, the MFP 10 executes the Poll operation again (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes the Listen operation again). The MFP 10 transmits an Activation command to the mobile terminal 50 (S112), and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (S114). As a result, a communication link L2 is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  When the first target data is communicated, the transmission flag is set to “1”. In this case, MFP 10 determines YES in S118 of FIG. 4, then executes negotiation, and notifies portable terminal 50 that MFP 10 will execute data transmission (S130). The MFP 10 transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 (S132). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “0” and sets the communication completion flag to “0” (S140). Next, the MFP 10 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 (S142), and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (S144). As a result, the communication link L2 is disconnected.

  Also in case A3, the MFP 10 appropriately communicates both the first target data and the second target data generated by processing the first target data with the mobile terminal 50 according to the P2P mode. be able to.

(Case A4; FIG. 9)
In case A4, the contents of the software disconnection process are different from those in case A3. When the communication link L1 is established, the MFP 10 starts a confirmation command transmission process (S116). That is, the MFP 10 transmits the confirmation command to the portable terminal 50 and receives the OK command from the portable terminal 50.

  In the software disconnection process of Case A3, the MFP 10 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (see FIG. 8). Instead, in case A4, in the software disconnection process, the MFP 10 ends the confirmation command transmission process (S138). Thereby, the portable terminal 50 determines that a timeout has occurred, and as a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected. Other points are the same as case A3. In case A4, the same operation and effect as in case A3 can be obtained.

  As described above, the MFP 10 may execute a hardware disconnection process for temporarily stopping the operation of the NFC I / F 22 (S138). Also in this case, since the confirmation command is not transmitted to the mobile terminal 50, the mobile terminal 50 determines that a timeout has occurred, and as a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected. With such a configuration, the same operation and effect can be obtained.

(Other cases)
In the cases A1 to A4 of FIGS. 6 to 9, the MFP 10 uses the same device (that is, FIG. 6) when establishing the first communication link L1 and when establishing the second communication link L2. 7 and 7, and operate as a Listen device, and in FIGS. 8 and 9, a Pol device. However, for example, the MFP 10 may operate as a Listen device when establishing the first communication link L1, and may operate as a Poll device when establishing the second communication link L2. Further, for example, the MFP 10 may operate as a Poll device when establishing the first communication link L1, and may operate as a Listen device when establishing the second communication link L2.

  In addition, in cases A1 to A4 of FIGS. 6 to 9, the MFP 10 receives the first target data from the mobile terminal 50 and transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50. That is, cases A1 to A4 correspond to the above-described first to fifth examples regarding the target data. However, the MFP 10 may transmit the first target data to the mobile terminal 50 and receive the second target data from the mobile terminal 50. That is, the above-described sixth example regarding the target data may be realized. In each case, the same operation and effect as those in the cases A1 to A4 can be obtained.

(Case B1; FIG. 10)
In case B1, MFP 10 executes a Listen operation (that is, mobile terminal 50 executes a Poll operation), and mobile terminal 50 can operate according to only the R / W mode and the CE mode. Therefore, MFP 10 operates according to the CE mode, and portable terminal 50 operates according to the R / W mode.

  The MFP 10 receives the Activation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S10 in FIG. 2), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S62). Thereby, communication link L1 is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50.

  In case B1, the transmission flag is “0” when the communication link L1 is established. In this case, the MFP 10 determines NO in S64 of FIG. 3, receives the first target data from the mobile terminal 50 (S66), and generates the second target data by processing the first target data. (S68). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “1” and sets the communication completed flag to “1” (S72).

  Next, the MFP 10 executes a software disconnection process (S80). That is, the MFP 10 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected.

  Next, the MFP 10 executes an operation control process (S82). That is, even when the MFP 10 receives the polling signal from the mobile terminal 50, it does not transmit the response signal (that is, the NFC I / F 22 does not temporarily execute the Listen operation). Further, MFP 10 does not transmit a polling signal to portable terminal 50 (that is, NFC I / F 22 does not temporarily execute the Poll operation). Thereby, portable terminal 50 detects separation of MFP 10. As a result, even when the state in which the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are close to each other is maintained, the communication link L2 described below can be appropriately established.

  After that, the MFP 10 executes the Listen operation again (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes the Poll operation again). The MFP 10 receives the Activation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S10 in FIG. 2), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S62). As a result, a communication link L2 is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  When the first target data is communicated, the transmission flag is set to “1”. In this case, the MFP 10 determines YES in S64 of FIG. 3 and transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 (S74). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “0” and sets the communication completion flag to “0” (S86). Next, the MFP 10 receives the Deactivation command from the mobile terminal 50 (S88), and transmits an OK command to the mobile terminal 50 (S90). As a result, the communication link L2 is disconnected.

  As described above, the R / W mode and the CE mode are modes for one-way communication. Therefore, both the first and second target data cannot be communicated using the same communication link L1. In the present embodiment, as shown in Case B1, when the MFP 10 receives the first target data from the portable terminal 50 using the communication link L1, the MFP 10 disconnects the communication link L1. Next, the MFP 10 re-establishes the communication link L2 and transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 using the communication link L2. Therefore, even when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 operate in accordance with the R / W mode and the CE mode, the MFP 10 can store the first target data and the second target data generated by processing the first target data. , Can be appropriately communicated with the portable terminal 50. That is, the MFP 10 can realize pseudo two-way communication.

(Case B2; FIG. 11)
In case B2, MFP 10 executes a Poll operation (that is, mobile terminal 50 executes a Listen operation), and mobile terminal 50 can operate according to only the R / W mode and the CE mode. Therefore, MFP 10 operates according to the R / W mode, and portable terminal 50 operates according to the CE mode.

  The MFP 10 transmits an Activation command to the mobile terminal 50 (S160 in FIG. 5), and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (S162). Thereby, communication link L1 is established between MFP 10 and portable terminal 50.

  In case B2, when the communication link L1 is established, the transmission flag is “0”. In this case, the MFP 10 determines NO in S164 of FIG. 5, and determines that the MFP 10 should operate according to the Reader mode (S165). The MFP 10 receives the first target data from the portable terminal 50 (S166), and generates the second target data by processing the first target data (S168). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “1” and sets the communication completed flag to “1” (S172).

  Next, the MFP 10 executes a software disconnection process (S180). That is, the MFP 10 transmits a Deactivation command to the mobile terminal 50 and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the communication link L1 is disconnected.

  Next, the MFP 10 executes an operation control process (S182). Thereby, portable terminal 50 detects separation of MFP 10. Thereafter, the MFP 10 executes the Poll operation again (that is, the portable terminal 50 executes the Listen operation again). The MFP 10 transmits an Activation command to the mobile terminal 50 (S160), and receives an OK command from the mobile terminal 50 (S162). As a result, a communication link L2 is established between the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50.

  When the first target data is communicated, the transmission flag is set to “1”. In this case, the MFP 10 determines YES in S164 of FIG. 5, and determines that the MFP 10 should operate in the Writer mode (S173). The MFP 10 transmits the second target data to the mobile terminal 50 (S174). In this case, the MFP 10 sets the transmission flag to “0” and sets the communication completed flag to “0” (S186). Next, MFP 10 transmits a Deactivation command to portable terminal 50 (S188), and receives an OK command from portable terminal 50 (S190). As a result, the communication link L2 is disconnected.

  In the case B2, the same operation and effect as those of the case B1 can be obtained. That is, even when the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 operate according to the R / W mode and the CE mode, the MFP 10 can realize pseudo two-way communication.

(Other cases)
In the cases B1 and B2 of FIGS. 10 and 11, the MFP 10 uses the same device (ie, FIG. 10) when establishing the first communication link L1 and when establishing the second communication link L2. Operates as a Listen device, and in FIG. 11, a Pol device. However, for example, as shown in case B3 of FIG. 12, when establishing the first communication link L1, the MFP 10 operates as a Listen device (that is, the CE mode) and establishes the second communication link L2. At this time, it may operate as a Poll device (ie, Writer mode). Further, for example, as shown in case B4 of FIG. 12, when establishing the first communication link L1, the MFP 10 operates as a Poll device (that is, a Reader mode) and establishes the second communication link L2. At this time, it may operate as a Listen device (ie, CE mode).

  In cases B1 and B2 of FIGS. 10 and 11, MFP 10 receives the first target data from portable terminal 50 and transmits the second target data to portable terminal 50. That is, cases B1 and B2 correspond to the above-described first to fifth examples regarding the target data. However, as in the cases B5 to B8 in FIG. 12, the MFP 10 may transmit the first target data to the mobile terminal 50 and receive the second target data from the mobile terminal 50. That is, the above-described sixth example regarding the target data may be realized. In any case, the same operation and effect as those in the cases B1 and B2 can be obtained.

(Correspondence)
The MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 are examples of a “communication device” and an “external device”, respectively. The Activation command is an example of a “first establishment command” and a “second establishment command”. The Deactivation command is an example of the “disconnect command”. The transmission flag = 1 is an example of “transmission information”. In the cases A1 to A4 of FIGS. 6 to 9, the P2P mode is an example of the “transmission mode” and the “reception mode”. In case B1 of FIG. 10, the CE mode is an example of the “transmission mode” and the “reception mode”. In case B2 of FIG. 11, the Writer mode and the Reader mode are examples of the “transmission mode” and the “reception mode”, respectively.

  S10 and S14 in FIG. 2, S62 in FIG. 3, S112 and S114 in FIG. 4, and S160 and S162 in FIG. 5 correspond to “first establishment step (further, first establishment means)” and “second establishment step ( (Second establishing means). " S22 and S32 in FIG. 2, S66 and S74 in FIG. 3, S122 and S132 in FIG. 4, and S166 and S174 in FIG. 5 are “first communication step (further, first communication means)” and “second communication”. Step (further, second communication means) ". S38 in FIG. 2, S80 in FIG. 3, S138 in FIG. 4, and S180 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “cutting step (further cutting means)”. For example, S38 in FIG. 2 and S138 in FIG. 4 are examples of the “first cutting method” and the “second cutting method”, respectively. Further, for example, S80 in FIG. 3 and S180 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “first cutting method” and the “second cutting method”, respectively.

  The confirmation command response process started in S16 of FIG. 2 and the confirmation command transmission process started in S116 of FIG. 4 are examples of a “first confirmation step” and a “second confirmation step”, respectively. . S82 in FIG. 3 and S182 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “operation control step”. S18 in FIG. 2, S64 in FIG. 3, S118 in FIG. 4, and S164 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “determination step”. S28 and S36 in FIG. 2, S72 and S78 in FIG. 3, S128 and S136 in FIG. 4, and S172 and S178 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “memory control step”. S20 in FIG. 2 and S120 in FIG. 4 are examples of the “notification step”. S165 and S173 in FIG. 5 are an example of the “decision step”. S24 in FIG. 2, S68 in FIG. 3, S124 in FIG. 4, and S168 in FIG. 3 are examples of “processing steps”. S22 in FIG. 2, S66 in FIG. 3, S122 in FIG. 4, and S166 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “receiving step”. S32 in FIG. 2, S74 in FIG. 3, S132 in FIG. 4, and S174 in FIG. 5 are examples of the “transmission step”.

  As described above, the specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail. However, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. Modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(Modification 1) The “communication device” is not limited to a multi-function device (ie, the MFP 10) that can execute the print function and the scan function, and is a printer that can execute only the print function of the print function and the scan function. Alternatively, the scanner may be capable of executing only the scanning function of the printing function and the scanning function. The “communication device” is a device (for example, a PC, a server, a mobile terminal (a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA)) that performs a function (for example, an image display function, a data calculation function) different from the print function and the scan function Etc.)). That is, the “communication device” includes any device that can execute NFC communication.

(Modification 2) The MFP 10 may not be able to use the P2P mode, but may be able to use only the R / W mode and the CE mode. In this case, the CPU 32 may execute the processes in FIGS. 3 and 5 without executing the processes in FIGS. 2 and 4. Further, the MFP 10 may not be able to use the R / W mode and the CE mode, and may be able to use only the P2P mode. That is, the “communication device” may not be able to use all the modes of the NFC standard, but only need to be able to use at least one mode.

(Modification 3) In each of the above embodiments, each of the processes in FIGS. 2 to 5 is realized by software (that is, the programs 36 and 38), but at least one of the processes in FIGS. It may be realized by hardware such as a circuit.

  Further, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. The technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings simultaneously achieves a plurality of objects, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

  2: communication system, 10: multi-function device (MFP), 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 50: portable terminal, L1, L2: communication link

Claims (3)

A computer program for a communication device,
The computer of the communication device is configured by the following units:
A first establishment command for establishing a first communication link between the communication device and an external device according to a first communication method is transmitted to the external device via a first communication interface of the communication device . A first establishing unit that communicates with a device to establish the first communication link;
After the first communication link has been established, the external device uses the first communication link via the first communication interface, and uses a second communication link different from the first communication method. A communication unit according to a communication system , wherein the communication device is a Read unit that reads communication setting information for executing the communication through a second communication interface different from the first communication interface , A communication speed of the first communication system is lower than a communication speed of the second communication system;
After reading the communication setting information from the external device, via the first communication interface, a Write unit that writes a response indicating that the communication setting information has been read to the external device,
A computer program that functions as a computer.   2. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the first communication method is an NFC (Near Field Communication) method. The computer program further controls the computer,
A disconnection unit configured to disconnect the first communication link after reading the communication setting information from the external device;
After the first communication link is disconnected, a second establishment command for establishing a second communication link between the communication device and the external device according to the first communication method, A second establishing unit that communicates with the external device via the first communication interface to establish the second communication link;
The write unit, after the second communication link is established, writes the response to the external device using the second communication link via the first communication interface. 3. The computer program according to 1 or 2.

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